Acceptance and understanding of artificial intelligence in medical research among orthopaedic surgeons.

Aims: The principles of evidence-based medicine (EBM) are the foundation of modern medical practice. Surgeons are familiar with the commonly used statistical techniques to test hypotheses, summarize findings, and provide answers within a specified range of probability. Based on this knowledge, they are able to critically evaluate research before deciding whether or not to adopt the findings into practice. Recently, there has been an increased use of artificial intelligence (AI) to analyze information and derive findings in orthopaedic research. These techniques use a set of statistical tools that are increasingly complex and may be unfamiliar to the orthopaedic surgeon. It is unclear if this shift towards less familiar techniques is widely accepted in the orthopaedic community. This study aimed to provide an exploration of understanding and acceptance of AI use in research among orthopaedic surgeons. Methods: Semi-structured in-depth interviews were carried out on a sample of 12 orthopaedic surgeons. Inductive thematic analysis was used to identify key themes. Results: The four intersecting themes identified were: 1) validity in traditional research, 2) confusion around the definition of AI, 3) an inability to validate AI research, and 4) cautious optimism about AI research. Underpinning these themes is the notion of a validity heuristic that is strongly rooted in traditional research teaching and embedded in medical and surgical training. Conclusion: Research involving AI sometimes challenges the accepted traditional evidence-based framework. This can give rise to confusion among orthopaedic surgeons, who may be unable to confidently validate findings. In our study, the impact of this was mediated by cautious optimism based on an ingrained validity heuristic that orthopaedic surgeons develop through their medical training. Adding to this, the integration of AI into everyday life works to reduce suspicion and aid acceptance.

Hospital Rankings and Health Equity.

This Viewpoint examines US News & World Report's approach to evaluating and publicly reporting hospital performance in various aspects of health equity as well as describes several novel equity measures published as part of its "Best Hospitals" rankings program.

TEV protease-mediated cleavage in Drosophila as a tool to analyze protein functions in living organisms.

Drosophila provides a powerful experimental system to analyze gene functions in a multi-cellular organism. Here we describe an in vivo method that interferes with the integrity of selected proteins through site-specific cleavage in Drosophila. The technique is based on the highly specific seven-amino-acid recognition site of the tobacco etch virus (TEV) protease. We established transgenic fly lines that direct TEV protease expression in various tissues without affecting fly viability. The insertion of the TEV protease recognition site in defined positions of target proteins mediates their sequence-specific cleavage after controlled TEV protease expression in the fly. Thereby, this technique is a powerful tool that allows the in vivo manipulation of selected proteins in a time- and tissue-specific manner.